Hello once again and welcome back!Movember! Michelle's favourite month. Yes, good things come in threes in Movember. There's her Birthday, our Wedding anniversary.... and a moustache (on Dave that is).
Gee these months just seem to fly by don't they! Another busy month for us with loads of activities. Don't forget that you can view previous issues by scrolling down or using the Archive menu up there on the right (yes, your right).
Happy reading!!!
Travel Report
No travel to report on this month. Just lots of travelling around the island!
Surf Report
The surf is back but it has been fairly messy lately. Dave has been out for a couple of wee surfs. Jake has too. The last few weekends have been fairly busy so we haven’t been as a family for a while. Maybe soon!
Weather Report
Brrrrr! The days are getting colder! Or maybe it’s the nights when you really notice it. It got down to a chilly 21 degrees the other night! When you are used to temps around 30, you really notice it when it goes under 25. The days are generally nice and warm (late 20’s) and it has been quite dry lately too, as the garden is now looking a little ‘less green’.
Touch Tournament
The Annual BVI Corporate Touch Tournament was held here in Movember. Some readers may recall that last year we lost the final (somewhat controversially) and were pretty keen to put things right. We had a fairly decent team this year – similar to last years make-up, but with an international import this time to bolster the ranks. Yes, well-known Rugby International ‘Dino’ Evans was flown in specially for the event (or that’s what we told everyone). He actually came down for a bit of a restful holiday and ended up playing seven games of touch in the one afternoon.
We won our first couple of pool games, then drew one, one a couple more and then drew another.
That put us top qualifier and straight to the final where we were to play one of the teams we drew against. In the end our team hit it’s straps in the final and raced away to comprehensively win 5 – 1. The trophy was ours! See the match report from the local paper below.
Travel Report
No travel to report on this month. Just lots of travelling around the island!
Surf Report
The surf is back but it has been fairly messy lately. Dave has been out for a couple of wee surfs. Jake has too. The last few weekends have been fairly busy so we haven’t been as a family for a while. Maybe soon!
Weather Report
Brrrrr! The days are getting colder! Or maybe it’s the nights when you really notice it. It got down to a chilly 21 degrees the other night! When you are used to temps around 30, you really notice it when it goes under 25. The days are generally nice and warm (late 20’s) and it has been quite dry lately too, as the garden is now looking a little ‘less green’.
Touch Tournament
The Annual BVI Corporate Touch Tournament was held here in Movember. Some readers may recall that last year we lost the final (somewhat controversially) and were pretty keen to put things right. We had a fairly decent team this year – similar to last years make-up, but with an international import this time to bolster the ranks. Yes, well-known Rugby International ‘Dino’ Evans was flown in specially for the event (or that’s what we told everyone). He actually came down for a bit of a restful holiday and ended up playing seven games of touch in the one afternoon.
We won our first couple of pool games, then drew one, one a couple more and then drew another.
That put us top qualifier and straight to the final where we were to play one of the teams we drew against. In the end our team hit it’s straps in the final and raced away to comprehensively win 5 – 1. The trophy was ours! See the match report from the local paper below.
More Touch Rugby pics:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45764&l=67b1a&id=766998601
Chef Anton & Sidekick Jake
Your friendly bar staff tasting their wares
Diving
Well, we have both finally gotten around to getting PADI certified after 18 months – can’t believe it took us so long to do! We did the four day course separately but both loved it and wish we’d done it earlier. Dave did it over two weekends and Michelle took a couple of days off work to machine it in four days straight. She actually did it in three days as she was lucky enough to have the instructor to herself and covered the material really quickly (and of course she is a natural fish and took to it like a fish to water, so to speak!). Her instructor was a bit of a hard case (Italian) – quite forgetful – forgot his fins one dive, his mask another, and Michelle and he managed to get lost in a dive! Lucky he knew what to do and they were not actually far from the boat, just couldn’t see it! Another dive, they came across some round, rubber things that hold tanks in their place on boats – they ended up swimming around with them on their heads! It was good fun! Michelle was lucky to be able to do two wreck dives on her final day as the boat happened to be going that way – not normally part of the course as a bit too deep – they were confident she could handle it though and she loved it. She even went back two days later to do it at night! The following weekend we managed to have the kids looked after and did the wreck dive (HMS Rhone) together – we saw all sorts, including two octopii, and a turtle; very cool!
Tidbits
Mo Bros
Last night the Movember Party and prizegiving was held at a bar/restaurant out at Frenchman's Cay at the West End of Tortola. There were several categories again this year. Last year Dave won the most Policeman-like mo category. This year there was: Most Pathetic, Most Dodgy, The Classic Mo, Handlebars, Celeb Look-a-like and the supreme award, "Mr Movember". Dave entered the celeb look-a-like and managed to win it with his Tom Selleck
Visitor’s Report
Our visitors (Wayne and Dorothy) popped down from Washington for about four days during the month. Due to timing issues, we were unable to get their version of events but we'll try to summarise their visit for you.
They arrived at beef island at about 5pm on a Friday. Dave picked them up and took them back to the house where several cold beers and a few wines were lying in ambush. During the beers Dorothy practiced opening the beers with another bottle. She pretty much had it sorted but then discovered that using the machete was just as effective!
Our visitors (Wayne and Dorothy) popped down from Washington for about four days during the month. Due to timing issues, we were unable to get their version of events but we'll try to summarise their visit for you.
They arrived at beef island at about 5pm on a Friday. Dave picked them up and took them back to the house where several cold beers and a few wines were lying in ambush. During the beers Dorothy practiced opening the beers with another bottle. She pretty much had it sorted but then discovered that using the machete was just as effective!
We took them to a few beaches the next morning and then it was off to the touch tournament where Wayne played well for the team and Dorothy attacked a wine bottle while hanging out with Sam. After the victory we celebrated until the bar ran dry, then it was off to Captain Mulligan's for a few more and also to watch the replay of the All Blacks v Ireland game on the super big screen.
Sunday was off to Smuggler's for a lazy day at the beach (and the occasional painkiller) before heading to Bomba's for the obligatory drink (or two) at this famous establishment and then home for another BBQ dinner.
Monday was Baths day. Baths as in "The" Baths at Virgin Gorda, as opposed to having a bath. Not that they were smelly or anything! They ventured out to the Baths on the VG ferry after checking out Main St (in Road Town) ... and the coffee shop. That night we had a nice dinner at a place called "Chillin" that looks across the harbour. There was a cruise ship in and that lit up the harbour quite nicely.
On Tuesday they were let loose with Michelle's car and they checked out a few more beaches, including Cane Garden and Brewers Bay. They also visited the Callwood Rum distillery which was an experience in itself we understand. We haven't been there. We must check it out.
That afternoon it was time for Dorothy and Wayne to fly back to civilisation. Dave and the kids dropped them back at the airport where they sampled Conch fritters before heading off.
It was great to see them and show them a little bit of what we have to endure here in the BVI. The kids loved having some other 'big kids' around to play with too. We're pretty sure they enjoyed their trip too!
Rum Appreciation Day
Another Rugby Club fund raising venture was held at Cane Garden Bay recently. This one was to raise money for the upcoming tour to Trinidad for the Rugby Sevens Tournament that Dave will be playing in next weekend.
Rum Appreciation Day
Another Rugby Club fund raising venture was held at Cane Garden Bay recently. This one was to raise money for the upcoming tour to Trinidad for the Rugby Sevens Tournament that Dave will be playing in next weekend.
Chef Anton & Sidekick Jake
We set up a bar, cranked up a BBQ and charged people $30 for a burger and all the rum they could drink. A pretty good deal really! Michelle and Dave worked the bar mixing cocktails and and passing out drinks. Jake assisted with the BBQ and Sam was the official photographer. We had a fairly good turnout and plenty of rum cocktails were consumed and everyone had a good time.
Your friendly bar staff tasting their wares
More Rum Appreciation Day pics:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46565&l=58744&id=766998601
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46565&l=58744&id=766998601
Diving
Well, we have both finally gotten around to getting PADI certified after 18 months – can’t believe it took us so long to do! We did the four day course separately but both loved it and wish we’d done it earlier. Dave did it over two weekends and Michelle took a couple of days off work to machine it in four days straight. She actually did it in three days as she was lucky enough to have the instructor to herself and covered the material really quickly (and of course she is a natural fish and took to it like a fish to water, so to speak!). Her instructor was a bit of a hard case (Italian) – quite forgetful – forgot his fins one dive, his mask another, and Michelle and he managed to get lost in a dive! Lucky he knew what to do and they were not actually far from the boat, just couldn’t see it! Another dive, they came across some round, rubber things that hold tanks in their place on boats – they ended up swimming around with them on their heads! It was good fun! Michelle was lucky to be able to do two wreck dives on her final day as the boat happened to be going that way – not normally part of the course as a bit too deep – they were confident she could handle it though and she loved it. She even went back two days later to do it at night! The following weekend we managed to have the kids looked after and did the wreck dive (HMS Rhone) together – we saw all sorts, including two octopii, and a turtle; very cool!
Tidbits
Other photos of recent goings on:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=44874&l=8cee9&id=766998601
It was our wedding anniversary in Movember so we treated ourselves to a nice meal at one of the more 'to do' restaurants around here. Dave had to wear long pants and shoes (and a shirt!). It was an italian place with a Chef who comes out and explains the menu to the tables. The food was lovely and Dave ordered a mussel entrée which contained exactly 40 mussels! So we actually rolled out of the place with a couple of full tummies.
It was also Michelle's birthday last week and we went out to another restaurant - The Sugar Mill this time. It too was very nice, with nice food and good service - which isn't that common around these parts (service I mean). The kids spent the evening entertaining some friends of ours.
We went out one sunday for a bit of a ski with some friends on their boat. The kids had a few goes on the biscuit as well.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=44874&l=8cee9&id=766998601
It was our wedding anniversary in Movember so we treated ourselves to a nice meal at one of the more 'to do' restaurants around here. Dave had to wear long pants and shoes (and a shirt!). It was an italian place with a Chef who comes out and explains the menu to the tables. The food was lovely and Dave ordered a mussel entrée which contained exactly 40 mussels! So we actually rolled out of the place with a couple of full tummies.
It was also Michelle's birthday last week and we went out to another restaurant - The Sugar Mill this time. It too was very nice, with nice food and good service - which isn't that common around these parts (service I mean). The kids spent the evening entertaining some friends of ours.
We went out one sunday for a bit of a ski with some friends on their boat. The kids had a few goes on the biscuit as well.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Sam the Bunny with the Evil White Witch...
Sam was in the local production of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe over the weekend. She played one of the Bunnies and was dramatically killed in the fight scene. But those who know the story will also know that she was magically brought back to life. The weeks prior to the show were very busy with rehearsals and all of the kids involved were having plenty of late nights. But the show was a great success and it was very professionally done. They did three shows in all. One on Saturday and two on Sunday and all were well attended.
Stop Press!
Movember 2008
Over the last month Dave, along with quite a few other blokes here, much to Michelle's distaste, has been cultivating a moustache. And what a fine effort it is!
Movember 2008
Over the last month Dave, along with quite a few other blokes here, much to Michelle's distaste, has been cultivating a moustache. And what a fine effort it is!
Mo Bros
Last night the Movember Party and prizegiving was held at a bar/restaurant out at Frenchman's Cay at the West End of Tortola. There were several categories again this year. Last year Dave won the most Policeman-like mo category. This year there was: Most Pathetic, Most Dodgy, The Classic Mo, Handlebars, Celeb Look-a-like and the supreme award, "Mr Movember". Dave entered the celeb look-a-like and managed to win it with his Tom Selleck
tache!
Doing the "Magnum thing" for the Judges
After the bar was drunk dry it was off to Bomba's for a couple where they bumped into a Carl Hayman clone (see pic). Well, he was about half the size of Mr Hayman but certainly had a resemblance. A good night was had by all and today there were a few more clean-shaven if not hungover gents wandering the streets of Road Town.
Carl Hayman
More movember pics:
Carl Hayman
More movember pics:
Next Month:
Trinidad Sevens
Visitor's Report
Caribbean Christmas
Trinidad Sevens
Visitor's Report
Caribbean Christmas
and who knows what else....
